Modular vehicle system, electric vehicle, and module for connection to an electric vehicle

Abstract

a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface, for connection of the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system; and second locking means arranged at the connecting element, formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is movable between a free position and a locking position. To increase the safety of operating the system, the module control is configured to send an identification signal to the control device upon connection of the connecting element to the interface; and the control device is configured to receive the identification signal, to compare the identification signal with at least one compatibility parameter, and in case that the identification signal corresponds to the compatibility parameter, to send an activation signal to at least one switch unit to connect the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular vehicle system comprising at least
 an electric vehicle, with at least 
 a control device; 
 an on-board power supply system for energy supply of an electric drive unit; 
 an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system for connection of at least one module; and 
 first locking means arranged at the interface; 
 the modular vehicle system further comprising a module, with at least 
 a module control, configured to communicate with the control device; 
 an electric arrangement; 
 a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface, for connection of the electric arrangement with the on-board power supply system; and 
 second locking means arranged at the connecting element, formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein 
 at least one of the locking means can be controlled between a free position and a locking position; 
 at least one of the electric vehicle and the module comprises a switch unit for controlling an electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system, and wherein 
 one of the control device and the module control in a disconnection procedure is configured to
 in a first step send a deactivation signal to the switch unit upon which the electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system is disconnected; and 
 in a subsequent second step to control the locking means to the free position with a second signal, different from the deactivation signal. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch unit is formed integrally with the electric vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch unit is formed integrally with the module. 
     
     
       4. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch unit is formed integrally with the connecting element. 
     
     
       5. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel, configured to enable a user to initiate the disconnection procedure. 
     
     
       6. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device during the disconnection procedure is configured to first send the deactivation signal to the switch unit and then to control the locking means to the free position. 
     
     
       7. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one electrically operable locking drive is arranged at least at one of the first and second locking means to move at least one of the locking means between the free position and the locking position. 
     
     
       8. The modular vehicle system of  claim 7 , wherein the locking means are controlled to the free position by sending a further deactivation signal to the at least one locking drive. 
     
     
       9. The modular vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the module is a charging unit. 
     
     
       10. An electric vehicle with at least
 a control device; 
 an on-board power supply system for power supply of an electric drive unit; 
 an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system for connection to a connecting element of a module; and 
 first locking means, arranged at the interface, formed for engagement with a second locking means, arranged at the connecting element of the module; wherein 
 at least one of the locking means is controllable between a free position and a locking position; and wherein 
 the control device in a disconnection procedure is configured to first send a deactivation signal to a switch unit upon which the electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system is disconnected and subsequently to control the locking means to the free position. 
 
     
     
       11. The electric vehicle of  claim 10 , further comprising the switch unit for controlling an electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system. 
     
     
       12. A module for connection to an electric vehicle with at least
 a module control, configured to communicate with a control device of the electric vehicle; 
 an electric arrangement for connection to an on-board power supply system of the electric vehicle; 
 a connecting element, separably connectable to an interface of the electric vehicle; and 
 second locking means arranged at the connecting element, formed for engagement with first locking means arranged at the interface, wherein 
 at least one of the locking means is controllable from a free position to a locking position and wherein 
 the module control in a disconnection procedure is configured to in a first step send a deactivation signal to the switch unit upon which the electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system is disconnected and in a subsequent second step to control the locking means to the free position with a second signal, different from the deactivation signal. 
 
     
     
       13. The module of  claim 12 , further comprising the switch unit for controlling an electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system. 
     
     
       14. A method for disconnecting an electric vehicle from a module, wherein the electric vehicle comprises at least a control device; an on-board power supply system; an interface, connected to the on-board power supply system; and first locking means, arranged at the interface; and the module comprises at least a module control, configured to communicate with the control device; a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface; and second locking means, arranged at the connecting element which is formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is controllable from a free position to a locking position and wherein in a disconnection procedure
 in a first step, a deactivation signal is sent to a switch unit upon which the electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system is disconnected; and in a subsequent second step, the locking means are controlled to the free position with a second signal, different from the deactivation signal. 
 
     
     
       15. A modular charging system with
 a charging unit with at least
 a control device; 
 a charging line; 
 
 at least one interface connected to the charging line for connection to at least one rechargeable module; and 
 first locking means arranged at the interface; wherein 
 the system further comprises a rechargeable module for connecting to the charging unit with at least
 a module control; 
 
 an energy storage device; 
 a connecting element, separably connectable to the interface for connection of an electric arrangement to the charging line; and 
 second locking means, arranged at the connecting element and formed for engagement with the first locking means, wherein at least one of the locking means is controllable from a free position to a locking position and wherein 
 at least one of the charging unit and the rechargeable module comprises a switch unit for controlling an electrical connection between the charging line and the energy storage device, and wherein 
 one of the control device and the module control in a disconnection procedure is configured to in a first step send a deactivation signal to the switch unit upon which the electrical connection between the electric arrangement and the on-board power supply system is disconnected and in a subsequent second step to control the locking means to the free position with a second signal, different from the deactivation signal.